Chrom found himself sighing much more these days, he could barely suppress his fifth one of the day as he looked at the Plegian troops barely hidden among the peaks of the jagged cliffs.

"It's not like you to be so wound up little brother."

Chrom's small frown disappeared upon hearing that familiar calming voice. He turned to face Emmeryn, quickly matching his steps to his sister's pace.

"Sorry Emm, just a little worried that's all."

"I understand your anxious for Mariabelle's safety, but I assure you that I will do everything in my power to bring her back safely."

"Thanks, Emm," Chrom gave his sister a small smile, "now if only Robin were here too…"

Emmeryn looked to him a little perplexed, "I did notice that your new tactician was missing since your return. I hope something did not happen to him."

"No... its fine," Chrom felt his face tense up awkwardly, "he's… doing some important work at Fort Ferox. Tactician duties and stuff like that you know?"

Definitely not washing dishes in the mess hall trying pay back 5,000 gold for a stupid bet when he didn't even have any money on him.

He and the other Shepards had gotten a good laugh from that revelation after he took home the, surprisingly easy, win from Basilio's champion. Whom Robin had cursed the entire night. For some reason, the curses largely involved the mysterious man's father.

I thought it would be fine to leave him there, even Fredrick agreed that he should learn his lesson. But then we come home to this. Chrom suppressed a sigh again.

I wonder what he would say in this situation. Though it's not like he would somehow know what's happening.

-x-

"Alright Validar, tell me what's happening." Grima's voice echoed through the telepathic link.

"Of course Lord Grima! Prepare to rejoice! For our forces have acquired a bargaining chip, a prisoner to negotiate for the Fire Emblem! And as soon as it is in our hands, your power shall be completely restored and the world would be yours!"

"Excellent," Grima crackled, "and who is this prisoner? Chrom? Lissa? Or perhaps the Exalt herself! Don't be coy, speak her name."

"Marielle of Themis."

"Literally who?"

"Er… the troubadour, my lord," Validar stammered, trying to recall the information his spies had brought him. "An important healer of the Shepards."

"Ah, so you did get Lissa."

"No my lord, the other healer."

"The Shepards have two healers? No matter. Validar, what's the meaning of this? I thought you said we had a prisoner to exchange to the Fire Emblem!"

"W-we do sir… Marielle of Themi…"

"NOBODY IS GOING TO EXCHANGE THE FUCKING FIRE EMBLEM FOR MIRIEL."

"It's Marie-"

"The point is, Validar. You have a daughter right?"

"Yes sir, she's actually right by me. Greet Lord Grima, Aversa."

"Greetings, Lord Grima."

"Okay, now imagine this. Imagine that YOU had the Fire Emblem and somebody captured Aversa here to exchange for it. WOULD YOU?"

"Of course not, my lord- Ah. I understand completely now, what we've acquired is merely a pawn. A pawn's only use is to be sacrificed for the greater good, isn't it right Aversa?"

"Sometimes I wish that I not actually your daughter, just random village girl you brainwashed into thinking she was your-"

"See, even she agrees!"

"Now you've seen the light Validar. Still, you're on the right track. I don't care how, capture the Exalt and exchange her for the Fire Emblem. Just remember. In Ylisse I would be heavily watched and with my current power, I can't risk being discovered while assisting you. Even transmissions like this would be detected by Naga's priests. So, you're on your own."

"Consider it done, Lord Grima. Still, what do we do with the prisoner?"

"I could not care less-"

"HEY NEW GUY, STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF AND CLEAN THE GODDAMN PLATES."

Grima winced at the sudden interruption.

I swear once I get my power back I'm going to turn this place into a Risen spawning ground. I can't spend another sec-

"Hold on Validar. We'll find some use for your prisoner yet."

-x-

"You fiends, hand over Mariebelle now!"

"Of course, little prince. We will return her to you... if you pay the appropriate price, of course."

"You curs! We... we have no choice, name your price!"

"We want 5,000 gold."

"..."

"..."

"Why?"

-x-

Four days later…

"Wake up! There are assassins within the castle!"

Grima woke to shouts of panic echoing through the halls of the castle, dragging his tired and sleep deprived body up from his lackluster bed.

Ugh… curse this powerless vessel.

He opened the door to his room and peeked outside. Indeed, the castle was on high alert. Multiple guards frantically ran through the corridors to the Exalt's room as cloaked assassins leaped over the railings from the outside to ambush them.

Well, at least something's going my way today.

Grima stepped outside and pushed the door closed behind him.

I should assess the situation, I left the plan mostly to Validar after out. Fortunately, I haven't been slacking since I got back from that damn barbarian infested fort. So I can manage a scrying spell at least. A basic one without dark magic enhancements will have to do. Naga's dogs have sharp noses.

Grima held his closed fist in front of him, concentrating his meager magic reserves, and slowly murmured a short chant. Opening his fist, he directed the floating eye that came from it upward, until it stopped and floated lazily over the castle.

So he's been caught before he could even reach the Exalt and now he's sending fodder to batter down defenses while allowing the Ylisse to regroup and fight back.

Wow, I expected nothing and I'm still disappointed. At the very least, he should have focused the fighting away from the Exalt so I can sneak past and knock her out myself.

Wait… is that? That girl!

No wonder Validar's more incompetent than usual. Looks like I must take matters into my own hands.

-x-

Damn, how could my brilliant plan be foiled so easily

Validar faced the crown prince of Ylisse and his mysterious benefactor in the halls of the castle.

Everything was going according to plan. How did they know?

"Chrom, I'm here!"

"Robin! And not a moment too soon!"

Grima rushed into the hall and positioned himself behind Chrom and Lucina. Unbeknownst to them, he flashed Validar with a dark smile and sent a quick glance to Lucina.

Ah, you've come to assist your most loyal servant my lord! I see. You're telling me to go after the mysterious girl first. Hahaha, these fools will not expect betrayal from within their own ranks.

Validar prepared another blast of dark magic and sent it towards his target.

"Robin look out! He was staring right at you! He must be planning something." Chrom shouted gallantly as he heroically pushed Grima out of the way.

"Huh? What-"

Grima's body flew from the force. Lucina noticed the tactician's rapidly approaching form, lept back to avoid it.

Validar watched in disbelief as his attack hit his lord head on.

The smoke cleared, revealing Grima's crumpled body. An awkward silence covered the scene.

The young prince of Ylisse was the first to recover.

"You bastard! How dare you do that to Robin! You'll pay for that!"

I didn't do anything!

That was clearly your fault!

Don't pin the blame on me just because I'm a villain! Not everything is my fault!

And you! The girl next to him! Don't nod along like you didn't see anything! That blast was clearly meant for you!

"Ahem" Validar cleared his throat. "Indeed, now you know what it means to cross me. For I am the leader of the Grimleal. I am the prophet of the Fell Dragon Grima! I am-"

-so fucked when Lord Grima wakes up.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Suddenly. Grima's body shot up, glowing with dark energy.

"Robin! What happened to you?"

"What happened? You see, foolish prince. What Validar used with not just any old spell. It was actually ancient mind control magic! ...Right?"

Grima sent a glance to Validar.

"Y-yes my lor- I mean my slave! It was an ancient spell perfected in my lineage over generations!"

"I can't believe you would stoop so low." Chrom cursed.

"Hahaha. You better believe it, foolish prince. Our mission is good as complete now that I'm-"

Grima shuffled as quickly as his wounds would allow him to where Validar was.

"-Now that I'm on his side!"

"I won't let you!"

"Bwahahaha, what are you going to do princeling? You aren't going to hurt the body of one of your comrades are yo-"

Grima's words were interrupted by a punch to the face.

"It pains me to do this. But my duty as a prince, my duty to Ylisse, my duty to sister leaves me no choice. With a heavy heart, I must do what needs to be done." Chrom lamented as he suplexed Grima over his shoulder.

"OW! Fuc-"

"Yes, while I dread involving innocents. I too must cast away my humanity for the greater good." Lucina said with clenched fists as she sent a kick towards Grima's spleen.

"OW! I hate all of-"

"For Ylisse!"

"OW!"

"For my father!"

"FUCK-"

Validar watched the beatdown in confusion.

Why hasn't Lord Grima retaliated yet? Didn't he say he was going to destroy them all?

Validar suddenly gasped in realization.

No, he said he was going to complete our mission. That means… he must be acting as a decoy for me! To think he hid his orders for me in plain sight! With such an expert play on words! Ah my lord! You truly are the most eloquent of individuals! Every word you speak holds a thousand meanings!

"OW! WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS I'LL CHOKE YOU WITH YOUR OWN-"

"Believe me, Robin! This hurts me more than it hurts you."

Validar watched the scene for another few moments.

Oh. I guess I should go for the Exalt then.